Granbury, Texas

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Shops of GranburyLake GranburyHistory of GranburyDinosaur Valley


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We love a good downtown and visiting Granbury, Texas for our 4th wedding anniversary did not disappoint. There are blocks of history, from an old theater to a haunted motel, the Historic Nutt House Hotel, and restaurants to shop after shop of antiques.

Where to Stay in Granbury

During our trip to Granbury, we stayed right outside downtown at the Captain’s House. This was a great option as we could enjoy Lake Granbury (the rental is situated on the banks of the lake) and still walk to town!

We have heard wonderful things from family that have stayed in the historic Nut House Hotel. As this is a supposedly haunted location, it may not be for the faint of heart. If this is up your ally, expect to experience some supernatural things. Enjoy hearing about the history of the area and the hotel itself as you check in. Asking questions always opens up doors!

Granbury Gardens Bed and Breakfast is also highly reviewed for their wonderfully location, comfortable amenities, friendly staff, and delicious (complimentary) breakfast in the morning.

Where to Eat in Granbury

During our stay in Granbury we visited a few of the local restaurants…

Christina’s American Table had unique offerings and a romantic atmosphere (given we visited on the evening for our anniversary dinner). Located on the historic Granbury downtown square, parking can be difficult to come by.

Ketzler’s Schnitzel Haus & Birgarten has typical German fare so if you are a fan of sausages it is the place for you. The restaurant also had a very lively atmosphere with live music being played out back in the garden area. Close to downtown but not in the heart of it.

What to Do in Granbury

Visit the Shops

Granbury has a handful of boutique shops along the historic downtown that offer gifts, wine, and finery. However this is not our vibe. We explored the antique shops right past downtown on E Pearl Street and had a wonderful time, finding many unique pieces that we brought home. I would highly recommend parking close to N Cleburne Street and Pearl Street and walking for a few blocks. You will find many antique stores and even some boutiques to balance out the shopping experience.

Explore the History of Granbury

The town of Granbury is dripping with historic stories and buildings. Did you know Jesse James’ grave is supposedly in Granbury? Even better, that John Wilkes Booth moved to Granbury after his assignation of President Lincoln, adopted a new identity and carried on his life as a thriving and committed townsmen?

Located in the small town of Granbury are a whopping 28 historic buildings. One of the largest and most visible of these historic structures is the Hood County Courthouse. This impressive building is the county seat for Hood County. Built in 1890 it has seen much of the history of the town.

Lake Granbury

Near downtown is Lake Granbury, one of the few lakes created by damming the Brazos river.  Besides the wonderful views and cool lake breezes, you can swim off the beaches, fish, kayak, boat, all the fun lake things.

For those who want to try their hand at some man-powered water sports, City Beach Park in Granbury is the place to go. Here you can find a few different rental options from kayaks and paddleboards to bikes that you can use as a vehicle to explore all of the finer sites of the town of Granbury.

Not feeling up to the activities offered at City Beach Park? Still visit! You can swim in the cool waters of the lake or bring a picnic and enjoy the day. The park offers access to walk the Granbury Boardwalk.

Fishing in Lake Granbury is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. You have the opportunity to catch Largemouth bass, stripped bass, white bass, catfish, and panfish. As it is a dammed section of the Brazos River, there is not a lot of submerged timber. Instead your best fish structure are the many boat houses and piers that can be found on the edges of the lake. If you plan to fish during your visit to Granbury, make sure you have your Texas Fishing License.

Dinosaur Valley State Park

While visiting this area west of the DFW metroplex where Granbury lies, a must-visit is Dinosaur Valley State Park. Hike along the footprints of dinosaurs, climb to high points in the park and overlook the river, and camp if you’re feeling up to it! We made a day-trip out of it and that was perfect for our trip. If you go for a day – be intentional about your time and be conscious of the weather. Some of the hikes have exposed sections of rock that can be very hot on a Texas summer day; bring plenty of water!